Bishop Gaudentius said: These things wholesomely, duly, and
fitly decreed, in the estimation of us the bishops [τῶν
ἱερέων] such as are pleasing
both to God and to man will not be able to obtain due force and
validity, unless fear [of a penalty] be added to the decrees
proclaimed. For we ourselves know that through the shamelessness
of a few, the divine and right reverend title of bishop [of the
τῆς
ἱερωσύνης] hath
often come into condemnation. If therefore any one, moved by
arrogance and ambition rather than seeking to please God, should have
the hardihood to pursue a different course of action, contrary to the
decree of all, let him know beforehand that he must give account and
defend himself on this charge, and lose the honour and dignity of the
episcopate.

All answered: This sentence is proper and right,
and such is our pleasure.402402 Here begins the Canon
xxj., according to the Greek text of Bev.

And this decree will be most widely known and best
carried into effect, if each of those bishops among us who have sees on
the thoroughfares or highway, on seeing a bishop [pass by] shall
inquire into the cause of his passage and his place of
destination. And if at his departure he shall find that he is
going to the Court, he will direct his inquiries with reference to the
objects [of a resort to the Court] above mentioned. And if he
come by invitation let no obstacle be put in the way of his
departure. But if he is trying to go to the Court out of
ostentation, as hath afore been said by your charity, or to urge the
petitions of certain persons, let neither his letters be signed nor let
such an one be received to communion.

All said: Be this also decreed.

(Latin.)

Bishop Gaudentius said: These things which you have
wholesomely and suitably provided [in your decrees] pleasing in
[or, to] the estimation of all both [or, and] to God and
to men, can obtain force and validity only in case fear [of a penalty]
be added to this your action. For we ourselves know that through
the shamelessness of a few the sacred and venerable sacerdotal
[—episcopal] name hath been many times and oft brought to
blame. If therefore anyone attempts to oppose the judgment of all
and seeks to serve ambition rather than please God, he must be given to
know that he will have to render an account and lose office and
rank.

This can be carried into effect only provided each of us
whose see is on the highway shall, if he sees a bishop pass, inquire
into the cause of his journey, ascertain his desti433nation, and if he finds that he is on his way
to the Court, satisfy himself as to what is contained above [i.e., as
to his objects at Court], lest perhaps he has come by invitation, that
permission may be given him to proceed. If, however, as your
holiness mentioned above, he is going to Court to urge petitions and
applications for office, let neither his letters be signed nor let him
be received to communion.

All said that this was proper and right and that this
regulation was approved by them.

Notes.

Ancient Epitome of Canon XX.
[the last part of which in Beveridge, Synod., is numbered
xxj.]

If any bishop tries out of pride to do away with what
has been decreed admirably, and in a manner pleasing to God, he shall
lose his episcopate. A bishop who shall see a bishop on his way
to the camp, if he shall know that he goes there for any of the
before-mentioned causes, let him not trouble him, but if otherwise let
him pronounce excommunication against him.

This is Canon XI. of the Latin.

Van Espen.

After the words [“honour and dignity”]
according to Balsamon and Zonaras, as also Gentian Hervetus, there
follows the approbation of the synod in these words: “All
answered, This opinion is becoming and well-pleasing to us,”
which indicate this to be the end of the canon; and therefore the
Greeks make of this two distinct canons.

Dionysius and Isidore make but one canon,…and this
appears to be more congruous on account of the subject-matter of the
first part, and will be manifest by connecting the two parts
together.

Van Espen follows Zonaras and Balsamon in understanding
“Bishops in Canali,” as such as were set on the public
roads and public highways, or rather “in cities which are on the
public highways, or ‘Canals,’ by which they that pass go
without labour, as in a canal or aqueduct the water flows, for aqueduct
and canal are the same thing in the Roman tongue.”